The heavy doors of the Polish border checkpoint creaked open with a low groan, metal protesting the cold. Snow drifted down across the plains as Iron Crown banners were hoisted beside the tattered red-and-white flags of Poland. The people cheered—not for occupation, but for deliverance. Aid trucks rolled in under the protection of armored convoys. Field hospitals were erected. Order began to replace chaos.
Hans stood atop a truck, addressing a crowd of thousands in the shattered city square of Nowa Skala, the de facto capital of the last Polish civilian stronghold.
"You are not forgotten," he shouted through a battered megaphone. "You are not alone. From this day forward, your suffering ends."
Cheers erupted. Not from soldiers or opportunists—but from mothers, children, wounded farmers, and elderly survivors. They didn't care if Hans wore a crown, a uniform, or a helmet. He had come when no one else would.
Meanwhile – Türkiye, Central Command, Ankara
Mehmed stood before a massive map, flanked by General Halide and a line of officers. Türkiye was stable now—roads reopened, monster incursions pushed back to the fringes, guilds unified under one banner.
He watched Hans' speech on a mounted screen.
One officer, young and skeptical, muttered, "He's moving too fast."
Mehmed raised a brow. "Would you rather he moved too slow? Like the Council?"
The room fell silent.
"I know Hans," Mehmed continued. "He does not desire empire. But if they force him to become one, he'll wear that burden like iron armor."
Back in Oberfeld – The Inner Circle Meeting
Hans had returned to Austria for less than a day when his council convened. Engelhardt was waiting, along with a few Iron Crown ministers and a new face: Janek Pawlak, the former mayor of Nowa Skala, now interim civilian representative for Poland.
"We've secured Krakow," Engelhardt reported. "Local militia joined us without resistance. They've heard of your speech. You're a symbol now, Hans."
Hans leaned forward, eyes tired. "A symbol can be burned."
Janek stepped in. "Maybe. But you're not just a monarch anymore. You're a promise. And Poland needed one."
A brief pause.
Janek continued: "But the Coalition? They've called for another summit. This time, in Prague. Every guild, including Japan and America. Word is... they're preparing sanctions."
Hans' jaw clenched. "Sanctions. For saving a state they ignored."
"They say it's to stop you before it's too late."
Hans stood and crossed the room to a wide window overlooking Oberfeld.
"Then we show them what too late really looks like."
Three Days Later – Prague, Coalition Emergency Summit
The conference hall in Prague was lavish, but tense. Banners of various guilds and nations adorned the walls, but the air was filled with barely disguised suspicion.
Hans entered flanked by Engelhardt and a few Iron Crown diplomats. Half the hall fell into quiet murmurs. Some delegates glared. Others nodded with respect.
The German representative stood first.
"Hans Adler Ehrenfeld. We requested you to cease annexation efforts and submit your armies to oversight."
Hans didn't sit.
"I'm not submitting my people to the same oversight that let the Balkans burn and Poland rot. You all had your chance."
The American delegate, older and composed, raised a brow. "You defy global cooperation."
Hans snapped: "Global cooperation? Where were your medics? Your food convoys? Your soldiers when Chimera burned half of the East? I didn't see your flag in Krakow. I saw mine. And I saw people cheering it."
The Japanese delegate looked uncertain. "But if every nation crowns themselves savior, we'll have warlords."
Hans' voice sharpened.
"I am not a warlord. I am a sovereign protector. There's a difference between conquest and rescue. And right now, you are punishing rescue."
The French Guildmistress leaned forward. "What is your end goal, Hans? Monarchy across Europe?"
"No," Hans said flatly. "Stability across Europe. Monarchy is the structure that has survived this apocalypse. It's not about the crown. It's about the shield behind it."
Murmurs spread across the room.
After the Meeting – Hallway Confrontations
As Hans turned to leave, several guild leaders followed him.
The Greek delegate whispered, "You've got support… more than you know."
The Swedish Guildmaster nodded. "We were made to vote against you. But half of us know the truth."
The Austrian delegate, once opposed to Hans, now shook his hand.
"You've done more in one month than they did in a year."
Hans smiled faintly. "Then let's make it count."
That Night – Letter to Mehmed
Mehmed,
The tides are shifting. Half of the Coalition sees through the rot. The other half still want someone to blame.
Soon, I may be forced to lead not just soldiers, but states.
Be ready. If the Crown becomes a storm… I'll need my brother standing beside me.
For Europe,
—Hans.